PRC man hijacks cab and kills airport cleaner

A cleaner on duty at the Budget Terminal died after he was hit by a taxi allegedly driven by a passenger on Saturday morning.

Police said they received a call at about 6.50am on Saturday, saying there was a dispute between a CityCab driver and his passenger.

Police said the caller reported that a passenger had allegedly assaulted a 57-year-old taxi driver at the road side along the stretch of Airport Boulevard, in front of SATS In-flight Catering Centre 1.

Witnesses said both the passenger and driver were seen arguing.

The passenger was then seen getting into the taxi and driving towards the direction of the Budget Terminal.

Police said moments later, the same taxi was involved in a traffic accident when it hit a 34-year-old cleaner at the driveway in front of the Budget Terminal.

The taxi driver is believed to have chased the suspect when he drove off in his cab.

The victim, Mr Chandra Mogan, a Malaysian, who worked for Chye Thiam Maintenance, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics at 7.13am.

Colleagues said he was the morning supervisor on duty and had worked for the company for at least three years.

His family is in Johor and he has four children, aged between three months and 10 years.

The taxi also smashed the glass side door next to fastfood restaurant McDonald's and a traffic light was badly damaged.

According to witnesses, the suspect allegedly tried to flee from the scene but was stopped by passers-by.

Police have arrested the suspect, who's a 30-year-old Chinese national. It's understood that had sustained abrasions on his forehead and was sent to Changi General Hospital.

Netizens on Channel NewsAsia's Facebook page responded swiftly to the incident.

Many were outraged and they also wanted the suspect to be harshly punished.

Others expressed shock and sadness for the victim's family.

ORIGINAL SOURCE
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